Burglar jailed after preying on Worksop woman

A burglar who preyed on the kindness of a vulnerable Worksop woman has been jailed.

Simon Bedding, 29, of Andover Road, Bestwood, was sentenced to four and a half years behind bars following a trial after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing at Nottingham Crown Court.

The court heard that on Friday 13th March, Bedding had been in Worksop posing as a door-to-door salesman.

He approached a house belonging to a blind lady and her guide dog and sold her £40 worth of cleaning products.

He then left the house but returned claiming he had left his mobile phone behind and asking to use the toilet. When the victim agreed Bedding, who had given his first name during the exchange, stole her bag which contained a significant amount of cash and her mobile phone.

When the victim realised her phone and bag were missing she called the police.

Officers used forensics from the products sold to the victim and the information she had given to link Bedding to the scene.

He was arrested for burglary and fraud.

Det Constable Lee Keeling, said: “Bedding saw an opportunity to target a vulnerable victim and taking full advantage of her kindness he stole her bag and phone after being invited back into her home.

“He was brazen enough to use his own first name when speaking to the victim which proved to be his downfall. This information coupled with the DNA on the cleaning materials he had sold to the victim ensured a lengthy prison spell.

“Clearly this is an upsetting episode for the lady but she has been reassured by the fact we’ve caught Bedding.

“Never feel pressured into letting strangers into your property. Always ask for some form of identification or ask for them to call back another time when you have other family members in the house.

“I hope this sentence sends out a message that Nottinghamshire Police treat burglary very seriously and offenders can expect to be located and sent to prison.”